A solid state soft start controller system has a power supply, an electric motor, a thyristor electrically interconnected between the power supply and the electric motor so as to selectively allow current to pass from the power supply to the phases of the electric motor, a laser diode optically connected to the thyristor, and a controller connected to the laser diode for triggering the laser diode. Separate thyristors are connected to each phase of the polyphase electric motor. Separate laser diodes and associated light pipes connect the laser diode to the separate thyristors.